Who Needs A Bed?

A few weeks ago we decided to bunk the girls' beds.

After the room makeover, we had both beds on the floor and it worked great until Mauryn decided that waking up before the sunrise was a great idea. When she wakes up she also was waking up her sister.

In order to give the girls more space in their bedroom and to help curb Mauryn waking Morgan up each morning, we bunked the beds.

Once the beds were bunked, Mauryn decided she didn't want to sleep in her bed.

For the first few days, she slept on the floor next to her bed.

Now she has moved up from the floor to a chair:

not very comfortable if you ask me but it is her favorite spot. for now.

Merry CHRISTmas

May your day be filled with love, and laughter, food, and fun. Merry Christmas!

Advent: Day 25

Bible Verse: Read the Christmas Story from the Jesus Storybook Bible

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Activity: Celebrate the birth of Jesus, open gifts

Advent: Day 24

Bible Verse: Review the Christmas story in Luke

Activity: Make Jesus' birthday cake, make lefse, go to Christmas Eve service, and open gifts from grandparents and extended family

Letter to Santa

Around this time last year I received a package in the mail from my older sister.

The package contained something that belonged to me that she had saved for almost 30 years!

It brought tears to my eyes seeing it.... not only did it bring back memories of Christmases past but I was also impressed my sister had hung onto this letter for so long.

The package contained a picture frame that held a letter I had written to santa as a little girl.

The letter reads:

I am a good girl. Some times I am bad. My name is Kristen Schoeb. Can you bring me Love 'N' touch baby, Peggy and her pop-up playpen, Skating Ken, Skating barbie, 3- Doll case, Strawberry Shortcake, Huckleberry pie, Apple Dumplin, Blueberry Muffin, My friend Mandy, My friend Jenny, Dolly pops doll house, Sweetie face ballerina set, Muppet's Secret doll house, Howdy Doody, Charlie McCarthy, Danny 'o Day, Superstar Christine, Pepsi Drink Dispenser {i had an affinity for fountain soda even way back then}, Li'l Boss portable Office, snoopy's pound-a-ball, jon, ponch {see i was CHiPs fan}, Merlin, strolling bowling. Thank you. Kristen Schoeb

Seeing this letter makes me laugh! Seriously, did they give me a toy catalog when I wrote this letter. I don't remember receiving anything on that list and some of the things when my kids asked me about them I didn't know or remember anything about the toy.

I treasure this letter and keep it displayed with my Christmas decorations. Even though I don't remember writing it or specific items on the list, it is a piece of my past, a little glimpse at a little girls wish list many years ago.

Thank you Karna for being a saver when I am NOT!

Advent: Day 23

Bible Verse: In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-7

Activity: Make a nativity ornament and create a nativity scene with stickers

Advent: Day 22

Bible Verse: In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. Luke 1:26-38

Activity: Make a nativity snow globe and magnet

Advent: Day 21

Bible Verse: This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25

Activity: Make a star ornament

- morgan chose to sew a felt star

- landon chose to use popsicle sticks to make a star and then paint it

- mauryn chose foam, we cut a star for her, and she made it "sfarkly"

Advent: Day 20

Bible Verse:

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7

Activity: Make a door hanger, poster, or newspaper declaring the birth of Jesus

Landon chose to make a door hanger and Morgan chose to make a poster. The picture doesn't show her entire poster but this is what she wrote:

Jesus is born. He is Christ the Lord. He shed his blood for you by dying on the cross. Jesus cares, forgives, heals the broken, and is always there. He was born wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. People may think He is the lowest of low but He is the Highest of High, the Prince of Peace, the Everlasting Father, Wonderful Counselor, Lord of Lords.

Advent: Day 19

Bible Verse: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Activity: Deliver gifts for angel tree and drop coins off in a salvation army bucket

- last week we purchased gifts for the children we picked for angel tree but today we helped deliver gifts to all the families our church was sponsoring. what a blessing to be able to meet the families and bless them with these gifts. the families were so grateful and appreciative and we were blessed and humbled by meeting them.

Advent: Day 18

Bible Verse: Luke 2:8-20

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:8-10

Activity: Read the Legend of the Candy Cane, make candy canes from fusible beads, make a shepherds staff (pretzel rod dipped in almond bark with sprinkles)

yes, my son does have shirts he just chooses not to wear them very often :o)
as i was cleaning up the kitchen, i found two little people at the kitchen table doing this:
i guess they liked the almond bark!

Advent: Day 17

My ten year old still likes to color. She likes crafts and she likes to create projects.

Even though she likes to do those things, I was a little worried that she might think our advent activity today was more for little kids. When I saw her wearing her completed project in the car on the way to the store, I knew it was a success.

Bible Verses: For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 1 Thessalonians 2:19

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:16-17a

Activity: Make Crowns

Advent: Day 16

We are blessed. Truly blessed.

We have a home, food, clothing, heat, water, cars, toys, blankets, coats, etc... We do not have any basic needs that are not met.

There are so many people who do not have their basic needs met. I want my children to understand how blessed they are and see how they can serve in simple ways to help bless those who are in need.

Activity: Set up for the Rescue Mission dinner - help roll silverware for place settings. Take food purchased for the food shelf and drop it off at the food box at church. My original intention was to help at the food shelf but they did not have a need this month. We will be serving at the food shelf the first week in January - organizing shelves and helping families shop for groceries.

Bible Verses: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:10-13

Advent: Day 15

The morning started with a beautiful snowfall. I couldn't have picked a better scene for our activity for today. By the time we left the house it was more like sleet and by the time we reached our destination (a whole two miles from here) it was raining! The kids did not care at all that rain was falling they were so excited.

Activity: Horseback rides at our friends the Elliston's (thanks Natali!)

Bible Verse: Zechariah 9:9-17

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and having salvation,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9

Advent: Day 14

The two times I have been to the Botanical Gardens have been at night for their annual Winter Garden A Glow. Both times we have visited we have enjoyed walking through the gardens and looking at the lights. I am putting it on my to do list for this spring or summer. I would love to see what it looks like when it isn't dark and snowy!

Bible Verse: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill can not be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

Activity: Go to Winter Garden A Glow at the Botanical Gardens

After having unseasonably cold weather, we had a gorgeous evening for our walk through the gardens. The kids enjoyed walking to the top of the hill and looking down on the lights and the city of Boise. The Botanical Gardens were built on the old state Penetenary grounds so the kids got a kick out of the sign on the guard tower that said "warning guard dogs on duty."

Advent: Day 13

When I planned this activity, I had no idea if we would have snow on the ground and I knew we would want something to make it feel like a white Christmas if we didn't have snow.

Thankfully at this moment we have snow. I am praying it stays through next week so we have a white Christmas.

Bible Verses: That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:13

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

Activity: Make snowflakes and listen to a new Christmas CD

Advent: Day 12

Bible Verse: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35

Activity: Deliver cookies to the neighbors, buy gifts for our angel tree families, and purchase food for the food shelf

Advent: Day 11

Bible Verse: We write this to make our joy complete.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:4-7

Activity: Homeschool Christmas Party

* decorate cookies (i am not sure what had more frosting the cookies or mauryn)

* deliver cookies to the nursing home

* make a craft

Advent: Day 10

Living in Idaho, our temperatures are fairly mild. So when I was writing out our advent calendar and activities, I didn't really consider weather to be a factor. A cold day in December is in the 30's typically.

I stole the idea for our tenth day from Denise. She has done this for the past six years. I knew my kids would love it. What I didn't know was the temperature would be:

Activity: Free Hot Chocolate Stand

The kids were excited and lasted about 40 minutes in the cold. They did sneak into the car and a warm store every now and then. After about an hour, we decided to pack it in. It was very interesting to see how people reacted to the free gift. Many would walk around us, avoid eye contact, or just ignore us. I think people were really just unsure of how to respond to something for FREE! The kids were determined and having a great time despite the cold. The cold weather also opened itself to a teachable moment for the kids. We are blessed to have hats, mittens, snow boots, warm coats, and blankets to help keep us warm and we had warm cars and warm homes waiting for us when we finished. Our coldness was temporary but there are families that don't have homes or coats or beds. A tangible lesson for the kiddos. We will definitely do the stand again next year!

Bible Verse: He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Mark 16:15